Killer dog owner carries coffin

THE coffin of a five-year-old Warrington girl killed by a pit bull terrier has been carried into church by the dog's owner. Ellie Lawrenson was fatally mauled by the animal while staying at her grandmother's house in St Helens on New Year's Day.

THE coffin of a five-year-old Warrington girl killed by a pit bull terrier has been carried into church by the dog's owner.

Ellie Lawrenson was fatally mauled by the animal while staying at her grandmother's house in St Helens on New Year's Day. The dog belonged to her uncle, 23-year-old Kiel Simpson, who also lives at the house.

Mr Simpson was one of four pallbearers to carry Ellie's pink coffin into Eccleston Christ Church, St Helens, for a funeral beneath bright winter sunshine and in a bitter strong wind.

The coffin arrived at the sandstone church on a white carriage, pulled by two white horses. It had flowers painted on and a large white wreath spelling the word Ellie. Before the carriage had come a hearse filled with flowers.

Behind the carriage was a procession of seven black funeral limousines.

Ellie's parents, Darren Lawrenson and Lyndsey Simpson, travelled in the first limousine, along with Miss Simpson's siblings, Kiel and Kelsey.

Pallbearers

Miss Simpson and her sister immediately walked into church while Ellie's grim-faced father and uncle waited to act as pallbearers.

Ellie's grandmother, 46-year-old Jackie Simpson, who suffered severe arm injuries as she battled to stop the dog attack, appeared to weep as she walked up the church steps and had to be supported by a female relative.

She remains too traumatised to speak to police about the incident, which took place at about 4.30am on January 1.

She had been babysitting Ellie while the youngster's parents, who also have a baby son, went out to celebrate the New Year.

About 60 mourners entered the church for the funeral and there was a large media presence outside.